A SURVEY OF CANINE VECTOR-BORNE BLOOD PARASITES IN THE PLAIN REGIONS OF CAMBODIA

Canine vector-borne blood parasites (CVBBPs) are considered as blood parasitic infection in dogs which is transmitted by vectors. The objective of this study is to survey blood parasites of dogs in the plain region Cambodia by using conventional and molecular methods to confirm intracellular parasites from the suspected samples. The study was carried out from November 2014 to February 2015. The total of 444 dogs was found only 5 infected dogs (1.13%) with a low parasitemia and low parasitic infection including Dirofilaria immitis (0.45%), Brugia pahangi (0.22%) were found in Prey Veng and Kompong Chhnang province by Buffy coat stained blood smear with giemsa staining and acid phosphatage activity confirmation, and followed by B. canis (0.22%) was collected from a private clinic, Phnom Penh, and co-infection of Ehrlichia canis with Anaplasma platys (0.22%) was indicated in Takeo by Buffy coat stained blood smear staining and PCR confirmation. Moreover, three vectors, Ctenocephalides canis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Heterodoxus spiniger, affecting dogs were also found in 62.8%, 18.5% and 12.2%, respectively. C. canis was the most common presence than tick and lice in our areas. Therefore, this result may indicate that there is low parasitemia or low of tick transmission. Certainly, the prevalence of parasitic case infections may change if other diagnostic methods with a higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, e.g. molecular methods. However, it is the first investigation of CVBBPs. It is expected to develop a better understanding in diagnostic techniques and improving knowledge the pet owners, veterinarians to beware of accretion regarding CVBBPs infection in Cambodia.